Apparatus for dispensing particular material



June 29, 1965 ;..1. BUZICKY ETAL Re. 25,814

APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING PARTICULAR MATERIAL Original Filed Nov. 16,1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.

w INVENTORS'J EDMUND J. BUZICKY, ROBERT E. JOHNSON JAMES R. HILMANOWSKI5 RUSSELLJJJLINAR ATT'YS E. J. BUZICKY ETAL Re. 25,814 APPARATUS FORDISPENSING PARTICULAR MATERIAL 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 29, 1965 OriginalFiled Nov. 16, 1959 IIIII|H I Fl G. 5

,4a \n./ XNVENTORSON somuuo J. BUZlCKY, ROBERT worm mass RHILMANOWSKIERUSSELLLMLINAR AIT'YS June 29, 1965 J. BUZICKY ETAL Re. 25,814

APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING PARTICULAR MATERIAL 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 OriginalFiled Nov. 16, 1959 FIGS V r /m mvmons- Y, ROBERT E. JOHNSON BUZICK P JILMANOWSKI a RUSSELLJ- MLINAR BY M 7 ATT'YS United States Patent 25,814APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING PARTICULATE MATERIAL Edmund J. Buzicky, RobertE. Johnson, James R. Hilmanowski, and Russell J. Mlinar, St. Paul,Minn., assignors to Whirlpool Corporation, a corporation of DelawareOriginal No. 3,038,641, dated June 12, 1962, Ser. No. 853,368, Nov. 16,1959. Application for reissue June 3, 1964, Ser. No. 382,981

16 Claims. (Cl. 222-129) Matter enclosed in heavy brackets appears inthe original patent hut forms no part of this reissue specification;matter printed in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

This invention relates to dispensing apparatus and in particular toapparatus for dispensing particulate material such as powdered detergentin appliances such as dishwashers.

In dishwashers it is desirable to provide a pre-rinse operation in whichthe dishes are rinsed with clear water prior to a first washingoperation wherein detergent is added to the water. It is furtherdesirable to provide a rinse operation subsequent to the washingoperation, and then provide a second washing operation wherein detergentis provided in the washing water. The instant invention comprehends adispenser for providing the detergent material in such a cycle ofoperation.

One feature of the invention is the provision of new and improvedapparatus for dispensing particulate material, such as detergent, foruse in a device such as a dishwasher appliance.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of such apparatusincluding a pair of receptacles each having an opening, a first closurepivotally mounted to swing from a first position closing one opening toa second position exposing that opening, a second closure pivotallymounted to swing from a first position closing the other opening to asecond position exposing that opening. and means releasably holding eachof the closures in the first position including a member movable betweena first and second disposition operable upon movement thereof from thefirst to the second disposition to release the first closure to swing toits second position and operable upon movement thereof from the secondto the first disposition to release the second closure to swing to itssecond position.

A further feature is the provision of such apparatus including a cammovable between a first and second disposition having a first portionengaging the first closure during movement of the cam from the first tothe second disposition to release the first closure from the holdingmeans to swing to its second position, and having a second portionengaging the second closure during movement of the cam from the secondto the first disposition to release the second closure from the holdingmeans to swing to its second position.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of suchapparatus wherein the receptacles are laterally spaced and the openingstherein face horizontally, the cam being positioned between thereceptacles and being rotatable to effect the indicated functioning.

A yet further feature is the provision of such apparatus wherein the camis provided with a spring yieldably engaging the second closure duringmovement of the cam from the first to the second disposition to permitcontinued holding by the holding means of the second closure in thefirst position, and positively engaging the second closure duringmovement of the cam from the second to the first disposition to releasethe second closure from the holding means.

A still further feature of the invention is the provision of suchapparatus including a support and means pivotally mounting thereceptacles on the support for movement between a first arrangementwherein the opening faces upwardly to a second arrangement wherein theopening faces horizontally, and wherein the first position of theclosures is obtained when the receptacles are in the second arrangement.

Still another feature is the provision of such apparatus wherein theholding means releasably holds one of the closures in the firstposition, the other closure having means thereon engaging the firstclosure when the first closure is held in the first position to hold thesecond closure in the first position, the holding means being operableupon movement thereof from a first disposition to a second dispositionto release the first closure therefrom to swing to its second positionbut retain the second closure in the first position, and being operableupon subsequent movement thereof from the second to the firstdisposition to release the second closure therefrom to swing to itssecond position.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of suchapparatus wherein the holding means comprises a reciprocable member andthe closures are provided with co-operating shoulders, the shoulder ofthe first closure resting on the reciprocable member and the shoulder ofthe second closure resting on the first closure when the reciprocablemember is in the first disposition, the finger of the first closurebeing disengaged from the second member and the finger of the secondclosure resting on the reciprocable member when the reciprocable memberis in the second disposition, and the finger of the second closure beingdisengaged from the reciprocable member when it is returned to its firstdisposition.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawingswherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation, partially in section and with partsthereof broken away, of a dishwasher provided with a dispensingapparatus embodying the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary vertical section taken substantially along theline 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged elevation of the dispensing means as taken inthe direction of the arrows of FIG- URE 2.

FIGURE 4 is an elevation generally similar to that of FIGURE 3, but withthe cam means of the dispensing apparatus rotated from a first to asecond disposition.

FIGURE 5 is an elevation generally similar to that of FIGURE 4, but withthe cam means being rotated from the second to the first dispositionsubsequent to the rotation thereof to the second disposition.

FIGURE 6 is an exploded perspective view of the dispensing means.

FIGURE 7 is an exploded perspective view of the cam and spring membersthereof.

FIGURE 8 is an exploded perspective view of another form of dispenserembodying the invention.

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary enlarged perspective view of the closure platefingers and block end in association for retaining the closure plates ina receptacle closing position.

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view thereof looking from the opposite sidethereof.

FIGURE 11 is a vertical section taken substantially along the line 1111of FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 12 is a perspective view generally similar to that of FIGURE 10but with the block repositioned to release one of the fingers.

FIGURE 13 is a vertical section taken substantially along the line 1313of FIGURE 12.

FIGURE 14 is a perspective view generally similar to that of FIGURE 12but with the block repositioned to release the other of the fingers.

FIGURE 15 is a vertical section taken substantially along the line 1515of FIGURE 14.

In the illustrative embodiment of the invention as shown in FIGURES 1through 7 of the drawings a dishwasher generally designated 10 isprovided with a door 11 having a sequential control mechanism 12 mountedin the upper portion 13 thereof and manually preset by a dial mechanism14. The door is provided at its lower end with pivot supports 15 topermit the door to be swung forwardly and downwardly from the verticalposition of FIGURE 1. The control mechanism 12 includes a solenoid 16which, by means of a connecting rod 17, operates a detergent dispensergenerally designated 18 carried in the door adjacent the lower endthereof.

The control mechanism 12, which may be of suitable conventionalconstruction, functions to provide seriatim in dishwasher 10 a first,prerinse operation, a first wash operation, a rinse operation, a mainwash operation, a second rinse operation, and a final drying operation.Solenoid 16 is energized by control mechanism 12 to move rod 17 suitablyfor operating dispenser 18 to dispense detergent into the wash waterduring the first wash and main wash operations.

More specifically, a dispenser 18 comprises a body member 19 defining apair of receptacles 2t) and 21 having horizontally facing openings 22and 23 respectively and arcuate bottom walls 56. Receptacle is providedwith a lower left-hand corner boss 24.

A first closure plate 25 is pivotally secured to boss Z-i by suitablemeans such as screw 26 for movement in the plane of opening 22 from afirst position, as seen in FIG- URE 3, closing opening 22 to a secondposition, as seen in FIGURE 5, exposing the opening. Receptacle 21 isprovided with a complementary lower right-hand corner boss 25 and asecond closure plate 27 is pivotally secured thereto by suitable meanssuch as screw 28 to swing in the plane of opening 23 from a firstposition, as seen in FIGURE 3, closing opening 23 to a second position,as seen in FIGURE 5, exposing opening 23. Each of the closure plates isprovided with a dimple 29 releasably engaging the opposite ends of aspring clip 30 secured by suitable means such as a screw 31 to atransverse portion 32 of body member 19 extending between receptacles 20and 21, for releasably holding the closure plate in the first positionof FIGURE 3. Thus, when door 11 is swung to the horizontal position,detergent may be placed in each of receptacles 20 and 21 and the closureplates 25 and 27 swung to the position of FIGURE 3 closing the openings22 and 23 respectively of the receptacles to retain the detergenttherein when the door is returned to its upright position, as seen inFIGURE 1.

As indicated briefly above, it is desirable to provide a first,pre-rinse operation of the dishwater wherein no detergent is added tothe water therein. Thus, during the initial cycle of operation, each ofclosure plates 25 and 27 is maintained in the position of FIGURE 3 Uponcompletion of the pre-rinse operation, closure plate 25 is swungdownwardly on screw 26 to expose opening 22 and permit the detergent inreceptacle 20 to be dispensed into the wash water. The swinging ofclosure plate 25 is effccted by a cam 33 having a shank 34 rotatable ina bearing 35 provided in body member 19. Shank 34 extends fully throughbearing 35 and is provided at its outer end with a flattened portion 36received in a complementary slot 37 of a lever 38 facially juxtaposed tothe rear wall 39 of the body member 19. At one end, the lever 38 isprovided with a downwardly opening groove 40 in which is received alower turned end 41 of rod 17. The other end of the rod is connected toa coil spring 42 secured at its outer end to door 11, which springbiases the lever 38 to urge the cam 33 in a clockwise direction as seenin FIGURES 3 through 5. Cam 33 is provided with 4 a peripheral arcuaterecess 43 defined at one end by a radial shoulder 44 disposed to engagea finger 45 on closure plate 25 and swing the closure plate downwardly,in a clockwise direction as seen in FIGURES 3 through 5, uponcounterclockwise rotation of cam 33. A curved lent spring 46 is securedto earn 33 to have its free end 57 biased radially outwardly intoengagement with a finger 43 on closure plate 27. In moving from thefirst position of FIGURE 3, to the second position of FIG- URE 4, thespring merely acts radially against linger 4-15 and effects no movementof closure plate 27. However, when the spring reaches the secondposition of FIGURE 4, the free end 47 therco. moves outwardly over aradially extending shoulder 49 of finger 48. Thus, upon subsequentclockwise rotation of cam 33, end 47 of the spring positively engagesthe finger shoulder 49 and eilects a counterclockwise swinging ofclosure plate 27. as seen in FIG. 5. As best seen in FIGURE 7, thespring 46 is provided with a turned end 50 which is received in asuitable recess 51 in cam 33 to secure the spring to the cam. As seen inFIGURE 6, fiat end 36 of the cam shank is provided with a hole 52through which a suitable pin 53 is passed to secure the cam 33 and lever33 in operative association on body member 19.

The operation of dispenser 18 is as follows. A suitable charge ofdetergent is placed in each of receptacles 2t and 21 by first pivotingdoor 11 to a horizontal position. The detergent is then placed in thereceptacles and closure plates 25 and 27 are swung to the closedposition wherein they extend across openings 22 and 23 respectively. Thedoor 11 may now be swung to its vertical position. The closure platesare retained in this position by the spring clip 3%. Solenoid 16 isdeenergized at this time and, thus spring 42 urges lever 38 to thearrangement shown in FIGURE 1 wherein its counterclockwise movement islimited by engagement with a stop 54 carried on door 11. Thus, as seenin FIGURE 3, cam 33 is arranged to have radial shoulder 44 thereofdisposed adjacent finger 45 of closure plate 25 and to have spring end47 bear radially outwardly against finger 43 of closure plate 27.Actuation of control mechanism 12 may now be effected by operation ofdial mechanism 14 to initiate the dishwashing cycle. As the detergent ineach of receptacles 2t) and 21 is completely enclosed, the first step ofoperation of the dishwater It! may be a prerinse operation wherein onlyclear water is circulated therein.

At the completion of such as pro-rinse operation, a first washingoperation may be effected. Thus, control mechanism 12 acts to energizesolenoid 16 and thereby move rod 17 longitudinally upwardly to pivotlever 33 against the action of spring 42 and rotate cam 33 from theposition of FIGURE 3 to the position of FIGURE 4. During such rotation,shoulder 44 of cam 33 moves finger 45 of closure plate 25 downwardly toswing forcibly the closure plate 25 from engagement with spring clip 30and permit the closure plate to fall by the action of gravity from itsposition across opening 22 to expose opening 22 and permit the detergentin receptacle 20 to be dispensed into the water in the dishwasher. Asshown in FIGURE 1, dispenser 18 is carried on door 11 adjacent the lowerend thereof whereby the water thrown by the spray arm 55 in the bottomof the dishwasher forcibly flushes the exposed receptacle, runningfreely outwardly therefrom over the curved bottom wall portion 56thereof to assure a complete dispensing of the detergent. During thisoperation, closure plate 27 remains in its closed position acrossopening 23 as spring 46 merely acts radially against finger 48 ofclosure plate 27.

Upon completion of the first Washing operation, the wash water isdrained and a subsequent rinse operation caused by control mechanism 12.Upon completion of the rinse operation, and a subsequent refilling ofthe dishwater with fresh water, control mechanism 12 deenergizessolenoid 16 to dispense the detergent from receptacle 21 to cause asecond washing operation in the dishwasher 10. More specifically, whensolenoid 16 is de-energized, spring 42 pulls lever 38 to rotate cam 33back to the position of FIGURE 3. Thus, as seen in FIGURE 5, free end 47of spring 46 acts positively against shoulder 49 of finger 48 on closureplate 27 to swing that closure plate forcibly downwardly away fromspring clip 30, and cause the closure plate to swing away from itsclosed position across opening 23, dispensing the detergent fromreceptacle 21 into the water in the dishwater. Thus, cam 33 isautomatically returned to the first position of FIGURE 3, permitting theuser to recharge the receptacles with detergent and close thereceptacles by swinging the closure plates to the position of FIGURE 3,as discussed above.

Another form of detergent dispenser, generally desi nated 118, isillustrated in FIGURES 8 through 15. Dispenser 118 is generally similarto dispenser 18 and corresponding elements thereof are identified byreference numerals 100 higher. Dispenser 118 functions generally similarto dispenser 18 in that controlled closure of receptacles 120 and 121 ofdispenser 118 is effected by a pair of closure plates 125 and 127,respectively. However, dispenser 118 is provided with another form ofmeans for controlling the release of closure plates 125 and 127.

More specifically, the closure plate control means of dispenser 118comprises an elongated cam, or block, 154 having a square transversecross section and longitudinally slidable through a correspondingsquared bearing 135 in the body member 119 of the dispenser.Longitudinal reciprocation of the block 154 is effected by a cable 155having a first looped end 156 received in a slot 157 in block 154 andsecured to the block by suitable means such as pin 158. The oppositelooped end 159 of the cable is adapted to be secured to end 41 of therod 17 connected to solenoid 16. Block 154 is biased outwardiy throughbearing 135 by a coil spring res having one end seated on a retainer 161secured to the mounting plate 162 of the dispenser and the other endseated on a retainer 163 bearing on a pin 164 extending through theblock 154.

The operation of dispenser 118 is generally similar to the operation ofdispenser 18 in that successive releases of closure plates 125 and 127provide pre-rinse, first wash, rinse, and main wash operations of thedishwasher. More specifically, in dispenser 118, block 154 controls theswinging movement of the closure plates 125 and 127. To retain theclosure plates in the closed position across receptacles 120 and 121,closure plate 127 is provided with a finger 148 which rests on the uppersurface of block 154. Closure plate 125 is provided with a finger 145having an outer end 165 which is cut away to rest on a correspondingcut-away outer end 166 of finger 148. Outer end 165 of finger 145 isprovided with an L-shaped extension 167 having an end portion 168extending transversely to the block 154 and movable through a verticalgroove 169 in one side face of the block. When block 154 is urged to itsoutermost position by spring 160, extension portion 168 overlies slot169 but is prevented from downward movement therethrough by theengagement of end 166 of finger 143 with end 165 of finger 145. Thus,the closure plates are retained in the closed position across thereceptacles.

When end 159 of cable 155 is pulled upwardly, as by energization ofsolenoid 16, block 154 is pulled inwardly through bearing 135 from theposition of FIGURE to the position of FIGURE 12. This permits finger 148of closure plate 127 to fall past the outer end 170 of the block 154thereby opening receptacle 121. Finger 145 moves downwardly at the sametime but transverse portion 168 thereof strikes the upper surface ofblock 154 and prevents swinging of the closure plate 125 away from theclosed position across receptacle 120.

When, at the initiation of a subsequent wash cycle, solenoid 16 isde-energized spring 160 restores block 154 to its outer position whereinslot 169 becomes disposed below 6 transverse portion 168 of finger outerend extension 167. As finger 148 is no longer disposed to prevent thefalling of finger 145, portion 168 falls through slot 169 and closureplate 125 swings away from receptacle to dispense detergent therefrom.

To permit the mounting of the detergent dispenser on a fixed verticalwall of the dishwasher, such as a side wall or rear wall thereof (whichis desirable where the dishwasher is of the top loading type) the bodymember defining the detergent holding receptacles may be pivotallymounted on the supporting plate of the dispenser. Thus, the dispensersmay be pivoted to an upwardly opening disposition when being filled withdetergent. The closure plates are then swung to the closed positionpermitting the receptacles to be re-pivoted to the position wherein theyopen horizontally, as the closure plates now serve to prevent dispensingof the detergent from the receptacles until they are swung to the openposition by the above described control means. Such a pivotal mountingof the receptacles is illustrated in FIGURE 8 wherein the body member119 is pivotally mounted by suitable means such as rivets 171 on a pairof supports 172 extending forwardly from the mounting plate 162 of thedispenser. A shown in FIGURE 8, the body member is mounted so that itscenter of gravity is below the rivets 171, whereby the receptaclesautomatically pivot to the horizontally opening position when releasedby the operator.

While we have shown and described certain embodiments of our invention,it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications.Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as definedin the appended claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. Apparatus for dispensing particulate material, comprising: a pair ofreceptacles each having an opening; a first closure pivotally mounted toswing from a first position closing one opening to a second positionexposing said one opening; a second closure pivotally mounted to swingfrom a first position closing the other opening to a second positionexposing said other opening; means releasably holding each of saidclosures in said first position; and means including a member movablebetween a first and second disposition operable upon movement thereoffrom said first to said second disposition to release said first closureand cause it to swing to its second position, and operable uponsubsequent movement thereof from said second to said first dispositionto release said second closure and cause it to swing to its secondposition.

2. Apparatu for dispensing particulate material, comprising: a pair ofreceptacles each having an opening; a first closure pivotally mounted toswing from a first position closing one opening to a second positionexposing said one opening; a second closure pivotally mounted to swingfrom a first position closing the other opening to a second positionexposing said other opening; means releasably holding each of saidclosures in said first position; and a cam movable between a first andsecond disposition having a first portion engaging said first closureduring movement of said cam from said first to said second dispositionto release said first closure from said holding means and cause it toswing to its second position, and having a second portion engaging saidsecond closure during subsequent movement of said cam from said secondto said first disposition to release said second closure from saidholding means and cause it to swing to its second position.

3. Apparatus for dispensing particulate material, comprising: a pair oflaterally spaced receptacles each having a horizontally facing opening;a first closure pivotally mounted to swing from a first position closingone opening to a second position exposing said one opening; a secondclosure pivotally mounted to swing from a first position closing theother opening to a second position exposing said other opening; meansrcleasably holding each of said closures in said first position; and acam between said receptacles rotatable between a first and seconddisposition, said cam having a first portion engaging said first closureduring rotation of the cam from said first to said second disposition torelease said first closure from said holding means and cause said firstclosure to swing to its second position, and having a second portionengaging said second closure during subsequent rotation of said cum fromsaid second to said first disposition to release said second closurefrom said holding means and cause said second closure to swing to itssecond position.

4. Apparatus for dispensing particulate material, comprising: a pair ofreceptacles each having an opening; a first closure pivotally mounted toswing from a first position closing one opening to a second positionexposing said one opening; a second closure pivotally mounted to swingfrom a first position closing the other opening to a second positionexposing said other opening; means releasably holding each of saidclosures in said first position; and a cam movable between a first andsecond disposition having a first portion engaging said first closureduring movement of said cam from said first to said second dispositionto release said first closure from said holding means and cause saidfirst closure to swing to its second position, and having a springyieldably engaging said second closure during movement of the cam fromsaid first to said second disposition to permit continued holding bysaid holding means of said second closure in said first position, andpositively engaging said second closure during subsequent movement ofsaid cam from said second to said first disposition to release saidsecond closure from said holding means and cause said second closure toswing to its second position.

5. Apparatus for dispensing particulate material, comprising: a support;a pair of receptacles each having an opening; means pivotally mountingthe receptacles on the support for movement between a first arrangementwherein the opening faces upwardly to a second arrangement wherein theopening faces horizontally, a first closure pivotally mounted to swingfrom a first position closing the opening of one receptacle when thereceptacle is in the second arrangement to a second position exposingsaid one opening; a second closure pivotally mounted to swing from afirst position closing the opening of the other receptacle when saidother receptacle is in the second arrangement to a second positionexposing said other opening; means releasably holding each of saidclosures in said first position including a member movable between afirst and second disposition operable upon movement thereof from saidfirst to said second disposition to release said first closure and causeit to swing to its second position, and operable upon subsequent mvement thereof from said second to said first disposition to releasesaid second closure from said holding means and cause it to swing to itssecond position.

6. Apparatus for dispensing particulate material, comprising: a pair ofreceptacles each having an opening; a first closure pivotally mounted toswing from a first position closing one opening to a second positionexposing said one opening; a second closure pivotally mounted to swingfrom a first position closing the other opening to a second positionexposing said other opening; and holding means releasably holding one ofsaid closures in said first position, the other closure having meansthereon engaging said first closure when said first closure is held insaid first position to hold said second closure in said first position,said holding means being operable upon movement thereof from a firstdisposition to a second disposition to release said first closuretherefrom and cause it to swing to its second position but retain saidsecond closure in said first position. and being operable uponsubsequent movement thereof from said second to said first dispositionto release said second closure therefrom and cause it to swing to itssecond position.

i ll

7. The dispensing apparatus of claim 6 wherein said holding meanscomprises a rcciprocable member and said closures are provided withco-operating shoulders, the shoulder of said first closure resting onsaid member and the shoulder of said second closure resting on saidfirst closure when said member is in said first disposition, saidshoulder of said first closure being disengaged from said member andsaid shoulder of said second closure resting on said member when saidmember is in said second disposition, and said shoulder of said secondclosure being disengaged from said member when said member is returnedto said first disposition.

8. Apparatus for dispensing particulate material, comprising: a support;a cup having an open end; means mounting said cup on said support formovement between an upwardly opening, filling position and ahorizontally opening, dispensing position; a closure; means forreleasably holding said closure across said open end with the cup in thedispensing position to retain particulate material in said cup despitethe cup being in said dispensing position; and means operable toovercome said holding means with said cup still in the dispensingposition whereby said closure is removed from across said open end todispense said particulate material.

5%. Apparatus for dispensing particulate material, comprising: a pair ofreceptacles each having an opening; a first closure plate pivotallymounted on one receptacle to swing from a first position closing theopening thereof to a second position exposing said opening thereof; asecond closure plate pivotally mounted on the second receptacle to swingfrom a first position closing the opening thereof to a second positionexposing said opening thereof; a yieldablc clip holding each of saidclosure plates in said first position; and a disc cam rotatableselectivcly to first and second dispositions and having a spring armengaging said second closure plate during rotation of said cam from saidfirst to said second position to release said first closure plate fromsaid clip and cause said first closure plate to swing to its secondposition, said spring arm yieldably engaging said second closure duringrotation of said cam from said first to said second position permittingcontinued holding by said clip of said second closure plate in saidfirst position and positively engaging said second closure plate duringr0- tation of said earn from said second to said first position torelease said second closure plate from said clip and cause said secondclosure plate to swing to its second position.

1! Apparatus for dispensing particulate material, comprising: a pair ofreceptacles each having an opening; in first closure plate pivotallymounted on one receptacle to swing from a first position closing theopening thereof to a second position exposing said opening thereof, andhaving a projecting finger; a second closure plate pivotaliy mounted onthe second receptacle to swing from a first position closing the openingthereof to a second position exposing said opening thereof, and having aprojecting finger engaging said first closure plate finger when saidclosure plates are in said first position, said second closure platefinger having an offset portion; and an elon gated member reciprocablelongitudinally to first and second dispositions and having an endportion engaging said first closure plate finger when said member is inits first disposition and thereby holding both closure plates in saidfirst position thereof, said first closure plate finger being disengagedfrom said end portion of the elongated member and said offset portion ofsaid second closure plate finger engaging said end portion of saidelongated member upon movement of said elongated member to its seconddisposition whereby said first closure plate may move to its secondposition while said second closure plate is retained in its firstposition, said end portion of said elongated member having clearancewith said ofiset portion of said second closure plate upon movement ofsaid elongated member back to its first disposition whereby said secondclosure plate finger is disengaged from said end portion and said secondclosure plate may move to its second position.

11. Apparatus for dispensing particulate material, comprising: asupport; a cup having an open end; means mounting said cup on saidsupport for movement between an upwardly opening, filling position and ahorizontally opening, dispensing position; a closure; means forreleasably holding said closure across said open end with the cup in thedispensing position to retain particulate material in said cup despitethe cup being in slaid dispensing position; and means for operationsolely mechanically, independently of liquid presence condilionsadjacent the cup, to overcome said holding means with said cup still inthe dispensing position whereby said closure is removed from across saidopen end to dispense said particulate material.

12. Apparatus for dispensing particulate material, comprising: asupport; a cup having an open end; means mounting said cup on saidsupport for movement between an upwardly opening, filling position and ahorizontally opening, dispensing position; a closure; means forreleasably holding said closure across said open end with the cup in thedispensing position to retain particulate material in said cup despitethe cup being in said dispensing position; a member engaging saidclosure; and means for operation solely mechanically, independently ofliquid presence conditions adjacent the cup, to cause said member toovercome said holding means with said cup still in the dis pensingposition whereby said closure is removed from across said open end todispense said particulate material.

13. Apparatus for dispensing particulate material, comprising: asupport; a pair 0 cups each having an open end; means mounting said cupson said support for movement between an upwardly opening, fillingposition and a horizontally opening dispensing position; closure meansfor selectively closing said cups; means for releasably holding saidclosure means across said open end of each cup, with said cups in thedispensing position to retain particulate material in said cups despitethe cups being in said dispensing position; and means selectivelyoperable to overcome said holding means with said cups still in thedispensing position whereby firstly said closure means is removed fromacross said open end of said one cup to dispense said particulatematerial therefrom and said closure means is subsequently removed fromacross said open end of said other cup to dispense said particulatematerial therefrom.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said last named means comprises amember.

15. Apparatus for dispensing particulate material, comprising: asupport: a pair of cups each having an open end; means mounting saidcups on said support for movement between an upwardly opening, fillingposition and a horizontally opening, dispensing position; a firstclosure; (1 second closure; means for releasably holding said firstclosure across said open end of one cup, and releasably holding saidsecond closure across said open end of the other cup, said cups in thedispensing position to retain particulate material in said cups despitethe cups being in said dispensing position; and means selectivelyoperable to overcome said holding means with said cups still in thedispensing position whereby firstly said first closure is removed fromacross said open end of said one cup to dispense said particulatematerial therefrom and said second closure is subsequently removed fromacross said open end of said other cup to dispense said particulatematerial therefrom.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said last named means comprises amember.

References Cited by the Examiner The following references cited by theExaminer, are of record in the patented file of this patent or theoriginal patent.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 651,990 6/00 Forest 222166 X 2,790,493 4/57Wenzelberger 222-504 X 2,812,881 11/57 Karig 222166 X 2,816,427 12/57Vela.

2,875,927 3/59 Tufford et Ell. 2,969,072 1/61 Barrilt.

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776,138 6/57 Great Britain.

RAFHAEL M. LUPO, Primary Examiner.

